Patent Application
20230295884
The apparatus disclosed herein relates generally to a system and apparatus for leveling and finishing or “screeding” concrete and more specifically to a concrete screed apparatus for screeding a poured concrete surface that is capable of screeding around obstacles in the poured surface with minimal disruption in the screeding process. The concrete screed apparatus includes an adjustable and controllable screed head frame that is capable of generally lateral horizontal motion with respect to the poured surface, thereby providing the ability to move a screed head secured to the screed head frame around an obstacle without moving the entire apparatus to a new location.
In the construction industry when liquid concrete is poured to produce a finished surface it must be quickly and carefully smoothed or screeded, so that when the concrete sets it produces an even, level surface. Since this level surface is almost always a foundation for additional construction, a machine base pad or foundation, or for mounting vertical storage such as warehousing and shelving space, it is highly desirable to produce a surface that is consistently level over its entire area. In large poured areas it is unwieldy and labor intensive to manually level and smooth a poured concrete surface as well as extremely difficult to maintain a consistent finished grade.
In order to aid in the screeding of large surface area concrete pours, a variety of concrete screed or troweling machines have been accepted into use in the art. These machines typically include a screed head comprising a flat troweling surface for contacting, leveling, and smoothing the poured concrete. The screed head in many devices is mounted on a boom that is mechanically extended and retracted across the concrete surface to produce a smooth surface finish. Many of these prior art devices include various systems for leveling the screed head relative to a reference plane such that the finished surface is relatively flat once it is screeded.
The leveling systems in prior art screed devices may encompass laser eyes mounted on the screed head structure that detect a laser beam projected at a predetermined level reference height above grade. Thus the screed head may be adjusted using a wide variety of adjustment mechanisms to a predetermined grade level by aligning said laser eyes with a projected laser beam. Furthermore, many of these devices provide automated systems for adjusting the screed head upwardly or downwardly to a level reference plane, thus obviating the need for manual alignment. In some systems, the automated adjustment of the screed head requires the use of multiple sensors and actuators along with the concomitant wiring and computerized control systems required to effect the necessary leveling adjustments.
Prior art screed devices often comprise a frame having a centrally mounted turret from which a boom is extended. Some systems comprise rigid frame structures from which a boom is extended. A screed head for smoothing the poured concrete is secured to the boom and leveled, using a wide variety of known leveling techniques, and is then retracted back across the poured concrete surface to achieve a smooth level finished surface. The leveling process for the screed head is typically a continuous process that maintains a level grade during the retraction of the boom.
However, one disadvantage to known concrete screed machines, often called “screeders”, is their inability to be maneuvered around obstacles that may be located in the surface being finished. For example, almost all poured concrete surfaces have something extending upwardly through them. Support columns, conduits, heating and cooling ducts, plumbing chases, and decorative members are all examples of obstacles that may extend up through a poured concrete surface. Using prior art machines to finish these surfaces requires a great deal of hand finishing, since the screed head is difficult to move around the obstacle as it is being retracted.
Many prior art screed machines must be moved multiple times to make multiple passes around an obstacle, while a great deal of hand finishing is used near the obstacle to finish the poured area adjacent to it that cannot be reached by the screed machine. In fact, while many prior art screed devices are available, a great deal of concrete screeding is still accomplished by hand due to the size and lack of maneuverability of automated screed machines. Of course, hand finishing is slow and labor intensive, and thus adds expense to any concrete pour.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system, method and apparatus for troweling concrete that provides a consistently level finished surface with the ability to maneuver the screed head used to contact and finish the surface laterally, as well as quickly and easily around obstacles that may be located in a concrete pour.
The apparatus disclosed herein provides a screed that includes a frame having an extendable and retractable boom mounted thereon, the boom having a screed head secured at its terminal end for contacting, leveling, and smoothing a poured concrete surface as the screed head is retracted across the poured concrete.
In some embodiments the boom is pivotally mounted to the frame near a rear end thereof, and adjustably mounted to an arcuate frame member mounted to the front portion of the frame. Accordingly, the boom can “swing” from side to side, thereby providing the ability to laterally move the boom and thus the screed head mounted thereto around obstacles or impediments in a concrete pour.
It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.
Other features, objects and advantages of the various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawing Figures taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures, wherein like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different view. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Emphasis is instead generally placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.
Referring now to drawing
In some aspects of the invention, a conventional internal combustion engine 52 having an output shaft coupled to a hydraulic assembly 60 is provided, for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a plurality of components necessary to operate screeder 10 via a plurality of electrically actuated control valves, as will be discussed in greater detail herein below.
The invention may further include a drive assembly 100 that is powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid, electric motors, or driven gear or chain systems as necessary to move screed apparatus 10. The drive 100 may be advantageously mounted on an undercarriage 120 such that it is rotatable with respect to frame 50, to allow screed apparatus 10 to be moved “sideways’, or parallel to the direction of screeding for a concrete pour. This motion may also be described as lateral motion. Furthermore, drive assembly 100 and undercarriage 120 may in some aspects of the invention be rotatably mounted directly to rigid frame 50.
Referring again to
In accordance with some embodiments, and as depicted in
In various non-limiting embodiments hydraulic assembly 60 may further comprise a control system (not shown) which may include a microprocessor, data memory, inputs and outputs, a wireless transceiver 64, and requisite wiring to electrically connect the control system to the plurality of valves. Furthermore, throughout the specification the operation of hydraulic cylinders will be understood to be effected through the use of a conventional hydraulic system 60, comprising electrically actuated hydraulic valves and a control system for operating said valves, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, an operator interface, whether wireless or integral to apparatus 10, may be operatively coupled to apparatus 10 to control the various actuators and components described. An operator interface may comprise switches, joysticks, touchscreens, keypads, keyboards, or any other user-operated control without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
In further aspects and embodiments a plurality of adjustable stabilization legs 70 are secured in a generally vertical orientation to frame assembly 50 at a plurality of points around the perimeter thereof. As shown in the drawing Figures, in one exemplary embodiment two opposed legs 70 are secured to frame assembly 50 at a forward end 51 thereof, as described in more detail below, while a single leg 70 is secured to a rear end 53 of frame assembly 50. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and positioning of legs 70 around frame assembly 50 may be varied without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Each leg 70 is further secured to a hydraulic cylinder 66 which is also secured to frame 50 at a point, and that is utilized to level boom assembly 30 with respect to a reference plane, thereby leveling entire screeding apparatus 10 as well as screed head 40. This feature provides an extremely level finished concrete surface, since boom 30 and screed head 40, once leveled, are unable to move with respect to a desired reference plane.
Referring to
Referring now to
Pivot assembly 130 further includes a keeper plate 160 having a plurality of apertures 162 therein, that align with apertures 144 of pivot post bottom 142. Keeper plate 160 is in some embodiments sized larger than the outside diameter of pivot post 140, such that a plurality of fasteners 146 may be inserted and secured through keeper plate 160 and pivot post 140 bottom 142, thereby rotatably securing pivot post 140 to frame assembly 50.
Pivot assembly 130 may also, in some aspects, include a cylindrical pivot bushing 170 that encloses pivot post 140 and is sized to be positioned between exterior boom section 32 and frame 50, thereby providing support and friction reduction for pivot post and boom assembly 30. In exemplary embodiments pivot bushing 170 is constructed of a low-friction, abrasion resistant, and moisture and chemical resistant material. In some embodiments pivot bushing may be constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material (UMHW) or poly tetra-fluoroethylene material (PTFE). UHMW pivot bushings 170 may be advantageously used in some embodiments since UHMW material is highly resistant to abrasion, industrial chemicals, and wear.
Referring now to
As best depicted in
In the disclosed embodiments boom 30 exterior section 32 is adjustably or slidably mounted to move laterally or generally horizontally across an upper surface 213 of top portion 212 of front member 210 relative to frame 50. Since front member 210 is slightly arcuate in shape, as boom 30 pivots around axis 31 and slides laterally across front member 210 screed head 40 moves in a slight arc. By enabling boom 30 to move laterally across front member 210, when all boom sections 34, 36 are extended outwardly, screed head 40 has the ability to move side to side (laterally) and thereby screed around obstacles in a concrete pour, for example building columns or pipe chases. In some embodiments, front member 210 may be a relatively straight member 210 without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
As best depicted in
As seen in
In accordance with some aspects and embodiments swing boom system 200 further includes a backing plate 240, typically constructed of steel or an equivalent high strength material. Backing plate 240 is positioned below boom mounting plate 222 on the underside of portion 212 of front member 210, and is secured in spaced relation to mounting plate 222 by a plurality of fasteners 242 and concomitant stand-offs 244. Furthermore, backing plate 240 may include a plurality of recesses 246 therein, to accept and secure a plurality of compression springs 248, as detailed herein below.
Swing boom system 200 further includes a wear pad 250 secured to backing plate 240, that is positioned between backing plate 240 and the underside of top portion 212 of front member 210. Wear pad 250 may, in some embodiments, be constructed of a moisture and chemical resistant, abrasion resistant, and low friction material. In some embodiments wear pad 250 may be constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material (UMHW) or poly tetra-fluoroethylene material (PTFE). UHMW wear pads 250 may be advantageously used in some embodiments since UHMW material is highly resistant to abrasion, many industrial chemicals and wear caused by repeated use.
Wear pad 250 may also include a plurality of recesses 252 therein, mirroring and aligning with complementary backing plate 240 recesses 246, to engage and contain compression springs 248 when backing plate 240 and wear pad 250 are properly positioned. Thus compression springs 248 are captured between backing plate 240 and wear pad 250 and facilitate consistent contact between wear pad 250 and the underside of top portion 212 by forcing wear pad 250 into contact with the underside of top portion 212 as boom assembly 30 moves laterally. Wear pad 250 may also be replaced periodically, as required, to enable consistent and smooth lateral movement of boom assembly 30.
As best seen in
Actuator 290 first end 292 is secured to boom 30 via an actuator bracket 300 that links swing boom assembly with actuator 290. Actuator bracket 300 includes a first end 302 secured to a first end 294 of actuator 290 via a conventional fastener. Actuator bracket 300 may further include an actuator mounting plate 310 that is positioned between boom mounting plate 222 and backing plate 240. Actuator mounting plate 310 may include a plurality of apertures to accommodate stand-offs 244. Alternatively, actuator mounting plate 310 may include a plurality of integral stand-offs 244 that form a part of actuator mounting plate 310, through which fasteners 242 are inserted to secure boom mounting plate 222 and actuator mounting plate 310 to backing plate 240.
In operation, actuator 290 may be extended, forcing arm 292 to extend outwardly from actuator 290 and thus, through the connection of actuator bracket 300, force swing boom assembly 200 to move laterally across front member 210. Alternatively, actuator 290 may be retracted to move swing boom assembly 200 in the opposite direction. Obviously, this operation moves screed head 40 that is mounted to boom assembly 30 side to side, thereby enabling an operator to avoid and screed around an obstacle in a concrete pour.
Additionally, actuator 290 may be operatively coupled to an operator interface operatively coupled to screed apparatus 10 to control the motion of boom 30 and screed head 40 through a combination of hydraulic and electric actuators. In some embodiments operator interface may be a touch screen, switch, joystick, or other operator-controlled input device, that may in turn be operatively coupled to a hydraulic valve, or an electrical output for controlling actuator 290. In this fashion when an obstacle such as a column is encountered during screeding, an operator can use the operator interface to move screed head 40 to one side or the other to avoid the obstacle without the necessity of moving the entire screed apparatus 10.
In accordance with various aspects and embodiments, in operation boom 30 and thus screed head 40 may be pivoted around pivot assembly 130 and pivot post 140, proximate rear leg 70 by operation of actuator 290 to move screed head 40 around an obstacle or fixed object in the screed path. This feature provides the capability to screed around an obstacle while maintaining an extremely even grade surface without having to move screed apparatus 10 by operation of drive assembly 100. This embodiment provides an enormous time and labor saving over the life of the screed apparatus 10 since hand screeding work by an operator is minimized for each concrete pour.
One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that although some exemplary embodiments of screeder 10 utilize a boom-type screed device, the various teachings and features of swing boom assembly 200 disclosed herein may be employed with a variety of different screed types without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
While a variety of inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other methods, systems, and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results, and/or one or more of the advantages described herein are possible, and further understand that each of such variations and/or modifications is within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03. It should be understood that certain expressions and reference signs used in the claims pursuant to Rule 6.2(b) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) do not limit the scope
While the present embodiments and aspects have been shown and described herein in what are considered to be the preferred embodiments thereof, illustrating the results and advantages over the prior art obtained through the various embodiments, the apparatus is not limited to those specific embodiments. Thus, the forms of apparatus shown and described herein are to be taken as illustrative only and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63152728 | Feb 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17678706 | Feb 2022 | US |
| Child | 18322962 | US |
